Stargate SG-1 s06e10 Episode Script
Cure
Calm yourself, Commander.
We are about to meet an alien race in person for the first time.
If you are correct they are advanced and capable of being a threat.
That gives me reason to be on the alert.
Since the discovery of the ruins we have had reason to believe that there are other inhabited planets in the galaxy, and now we have our proof.
I am relieved that the very first contact that we have made is with a race of humans that seem to be very like us.
Maybe you trust them without suspicion.
I cannot.
Nevertheless, Commander, we must proceed.
They are sending their most respected team of representatives.
No doubt the leader of this group will be a brilliant and savvy negotiator.
We must be at our best to match the challenge.
Personally, I cannot wait to meet a man of such genius.
Howdy, folks.
- Nice.
- Thank you, Colonel.
We would be happy to take you on a tour of our city, but first we'd like to spend a little time talking about our mutual interests, so please, please, sit.
To be honest, we are still trying to adjust to the fact that our Stargate, as you call it, is no longer a mere relic of a bygone era.
It was a shock when your communication machine appeared last month.
First contact can be unnerving.
We are all very pleased to finally get the chance to talk face to face.
From our study of the temple we were able to deduce the Stargate was an interplanetary transportation device.
We haven't determined how to make a connection with the many worlds described in the writings in the temple.
It took us a while to get the hang of it, too.
We know the symbols on the Stargate are the key, but as for the number sequence to enter in the dialling device We can definitely help you out there.
Once we get to know you a little better.
Oh, yes, well, of course.
We intend to allow you full access to our citizens, our history, our culture, so that you may come to trust us.
I hope we can reciprocate.
We also want to make it clear that we intend to offer all that we can in trade for any knowledge or technology that you are willing to share.
- Qu'est-ce que c'est? - We call it tretonin, Colonel.
- It is our greatest scientific discovery.
- How so? Major Carter, from what you have told me about your world, your people suffer from a myriad of illnesses.
Many of them are untreatable.
Tretonin makes our immune systems impervious to any ailment.
We live in perfect health.
What is it you hope to achieve here? If we're gonna learn about these people, start at the beginning.
Earthans.
Uh, Earthlings sort of.
I am Zenna Valk, supervisor of the temple research project.
It is a pleasure to meet the explorers from Earth.
We're not originally from there.
However, we have dedicated ourselves to the cause of the Tauri.
Earth.
Am I at least correct in assuming you are Jaffa? - Indeed.
- I cannot tell you how exciting this is.
We have learned much from this site, but it must pale in comparison to what you can teach us.
I don't know, but we'd love it if you showed us around.
By all means.
That was my intention.
We first discovered these ruins over 100 years ago, and since then we've dedicated ourselves to studying the secrets the Goa'uld left behind.
This area was obviously some sort of reception colonnade for greeting travellers who came through the Stargate.
The real discovery was made just over here.
Although we fully admit tretonin is not without side effects, we assure you, the good it can do far outweighs any negative aspects.
What kind of side effects? Depends on the individual.
Most people experience almost no reaction.
Those who do merely require more regulated doses.
- We'll need a decent amount for testing.
- On Earth, of course.
Yes, certainly.
Of course, we need something in return from you, as a measure of good faith.
We can give you these ten addresses and a lesson in gate technology.
These are peaceful worlds, safe from hostile forces, rich with historical relics and natural resources.
Well, this is a very generous offer, Major, very generous.
However, based on our studies of the writings in the temple, we have compiled a list of the names of the worlds that we would like to visit.
Do you recognise any? I'll have to cross-reference the Goa'uld names with our database, but offhand, I recognise these three, sir.
They're classified off limits, Goa'uld home worlds.
Yeah, uh fellas, you really don't wanna go here.
It's not exactly a walk in the park.
We know the Goa'uld are a hostile race that once ruled this planet centuries ago.
You're new, so I'll cut you a break Those are the worlds we wish to explore.
We believe that they are significant to our history.
Guys, we're not lying to you about this.
You don't wanna go there first time out.
If you have been to these worlds and survived, can we not? All I'm trying to say to you is it would be stupid.
We are aware of the risks and believe the rewards are worth the consequences, as you and your people obviously do, Colonel.
Please, Colonel, in exchange for the tretonin, we are simply asking that you respect our wishes.
There is an underground tunnel system that leads to the main temple.
It is most likely a means of escape to the Stargate in case of attack.
That's exactly what I thought.
Please.
The writing in this chamber seems to tell the story of the Goa'uld who ruled here.
We've been attempting to decipher this section of the wall for months, thus far with limited success.
It is written in a rare dialect of ancient Goa'uld.
An account of the warlord Shak'ran.
He was a System Lord who was defeated by Apophis about 300 years ago.
Indeed.
Until his defeat, it appears Pangar served as Shak'ran's home world.
And what of the Goa'uld Apophis, the one who conquered Shak'ran? He was killed in battle not long ago.
As I suspected, you have much wisdom to share.
Teal'c and I will help with the translations.
I've got a dozen ancient ciphers I can try.
Please, I do not wish to be overheard by the Pangar security contingent.
There is something you need to know about the tretonin.
Please, come with me and I will finish showing you the rest of the ruins.
I will try to talk to you later.
She said there was something we needed to know about tretonin.
She seemed to be worried about these guys, like she was going out on a limb talking about something other than hieroglyphs.
Keep digging.
See what you can find.
Carter and I will take this sample back to the SGC.
- Jonas.
- Dr Valk.
- Please, call me Zenna.
- How's it coming? It's slow and painstaking.
Any help you're willing to give me Certainly.
I brought those ciphers I was telling you about.
Looks like we're alone.
What do you suppose this means? You said that there was something we needed to know about the tretonin.
I'm sorry.
You must have misunderstood.
No, I think you were pretty clear.
No one's coming.
Teal'c is up there standing guard.
You can talk to me.
- I don't have anything to say.
- Hey, Zenna.
- If you know something - No, I don't.
- That was strange.
- What did Zenna Valk have to say? Nothing.
Someone must have gotten to her.
Right away.
I think I got something.
She's on tretonin.
- It looks like she has regular injections.
- Continue.
I was thinking we go and check out the place they get their shots.
I found a map of the city.
I'm pretty sure I can get us there.
Let's do it.
Looks like this is where they actually make the drug, as well as administer it.
This way.
What is it? I am not sure.
Well, something tells me this isn't the rec room.
No, it is not.
- There's something living in there.
- Goa'uld symbiotes.
- Are you sure? - Yes.
And there are a great many.
What are they doing? Who's there? Identify yourselves.
Stop Teal'c - He's got one in him.
- Stand aside.
Lower your weapon - This man is a Goa'uld.
- Teal'c, something's not right.
- This guy's completely out of it.
- Lower your weapon now Care to say why you were at the tretonin facility? You wanna tell us why you have a pool full of Goa'uld symbiotes? - You've betrayed our openness with you.
- Openness? You're raising Goa'ulds.
When were you gonna tell us? The symbiotes are a critical component to making tretonin.
Excuse me? It is a complicated process, one which is better explained by our scientists.
Frankly, we intended to tell you how the tretonin was made, eventually.
We just wanted to first assess how you might react.
- Not well.
- I don't know why you're taking offence.
You've told us.
The Goa'uld are enemies who have enslaved countless humans.
Where is the harm in using them to enhance our quality of life? Do you really understand the risks? We have used the same method to produce tretonin for nearly 30 years.
- We take every precaution possible.
- How were these symbiotes procured? For people who haven't mastered gate travel, you've sure got a lot of them.
We require answers before sharing any further information.
We have already told you everything that is necessary.
Tegar, the colonel is right.
There is no reason to keep more secrets.
The drug was developed and is now manufactured and administered here.
And since its use has spread to more of the general population, we've implemented treatment centres throughout Pangar.
Through here is the reason we were able to create tretonin in the first place.
The symbiotes were not procured through gate travel.
Our symbiotes are all bred here, in captivity.
A queen.
No kidding.
Is there nothing you can do to help him? - What's his condition? - His lower-brain functions seem intact, his breathing and heart rate are normal, but he is unresponsive to any stimulus.
It doesn't make sense.
Teal'c? Prior to the process of incubating Goa'uld symbiotes using Jaffa, the blending between Goa'uld and host had only a one-in-two chance of success.
Jaffa were created to improve the ability of the symbiote to take human hosts.
The fact that this symbiote was raised in a tank could explain the comalike state? To the best of my knowledge, a failed blending results in death to both Goa'uld and host.
This man is very much alive.
Our understanding is that this is a typical reaction to contact with Goa'uld offspring.
A Goa'uld offspring is born with the intellect and knowledge of its queen.
Normally the personality emerges, allowing the symbiote to control the host immediately upon blending.
Glowing eyes, cliché behaviour, evilness.
- That kind of thing.
- This one's more of a blank slate.
Is it possible that the production process hinders the development of the symbiote? I do not know.
I recommend we contact the Tok'ra.
They may understand this condition.
They might be able to take the symbiote out.
Uh, I'm sorry, who are the Tok'ra? An offshoot of the Goa'uld who oppose them philosophically in every way.
You propose to bring these Goa'uld here? They're different.
They coexist with their hosts in a truer symbiotic relationship.
They are, in fact, allies.
- And they can help? - We'll see.
- Hi.
- Hello.
I have an admission.
You know Teal'c and I tracked down the tretonin facility.
Yes, I heard.
Yeah.
Well, I did it by going through your stuff when you weren't here.
- I was wrong.
- I know.
- You know it was wrong or - I know what you did.
I saw you.
Really? Cos I thought that we were - Not so good.
- No? - But you didn't try and stop us.
- No.
I wanted you to know.
In some ways, I'm glad you did what you did.
In others, I'm disappointed you were so willing to betray me.
Well, no, I never would have done this had you not come to me first.
I should have told you outright.
I was afraid.
Tretonin is not available to everyone in Pangar yet.
Taking it is a privilege, one that can be revoked.
- I hope I didn't get you in trouble.
- No.
But our relationship, our peoples' relationship, if we ever are to trust each other we're not off to a very good start.
I know.
You could make it up to me.
- How? - Help me finish the translations.
It is as though the symbiote in this man has taken a host before it was mature enough to do so.
And yet our scans indicate it to be a full-grown adult.
Most puzzling.
Can you account for its lack of identity? Memory is passed on genetically by the queen, so they are born with the collective knowledge of their lineage.
It is possible the queen that spawned him was unable to pass on this information.
Unable? The knowledge imparted on her young by a queen is done so voluntarily.
If nothing were passed on to a symbiote it would be, as you say, an empty vessel.
Can you remove it without harming the host? Possibly, although such a procedure would be dangerous.
We would like to see the queen that spawned this Goa'uld.
Not a pretty sight, even for a Goa'uld, huh? - She is extremely old.
- She has been kept this way for decades? The Pangarans began using her for medical experiments over 50 years ago.
She's been breeding symbiotes to make tretonin for more than half that time.
All right.
Now, how is that possible? I mean, how does she make kids without a man friend? Symbiote queens can fertilise their own eggs.
It is essentially an asexual process.
Is that why you guys take hosts? It is impressive that a primitive human culture could develop such a drug.
Does it bother you that they use Goa'ulds like this? No.
OK.
The Goa'uld have done no worse than this to humans for centuries.
That Pangarans use them for a beneficial result is surprising, but not morally objectionable to me, if that's what you mean.
I believe her condition is the reason her offspring are not mentally developed.
Most unfortunate.
What is it? My scans indicate massive cellular degeneration.
Quite simply, she is dying.
I am sorry.
The Pangarans sugar-coated the whole side-effect aspect of the drug.
Well, that's a shock.
While tretonin does cure most diseases, it creates bigger problems than it solves.
How? The drug acts like a symbiote in many ways.
Upon entering the bloodstream it takes over, suppressing the immune system.
The result is a powerful resistance to disease.
- But - The healing effect is not permanent, and the user's immune system remains suppressed.
You have to keep taking the drug for it to work.
We'd never create enough to sustain our population.
I don't know how the Pangarans can make enough for theirs.
They don't.
Only about They're running into a wall as far as production is concerned.
They've sucked the queen dry, Doc.
According to the Tok'ra, she's dying.
As far as I know there's no way to reverse the drug's effects.
If their queen is dying, it's a matter of time before anyone living off tretonin will be facing death as well.
OK? O'Neill out.
So you wanted the gate addresses to the Goa'uld worlds because you wanted to snag another queen? Colonel, we have no choice but to replace the one we have.
Exactly how did you get to this point? a secret chamber beneath the temple.
We found a sealed Canopic jar containing a living female symbiote, perfectly preserved in stasis.
From our study of the temple, we knew the Goa'uld never suffered from illness.
We saw this discovery as an opportunity to learn why.
Once the queen gave birth, we began experimenting on her offspring, searching for a way to mimic their seemingly perfect immune system.
After decades of trying, we finally came up with tretonin.
- It seemed like a miracle at first.
- Didn't you foresee the negative effects? Of course.
But what we couldn't predict was our inability to refine the drug.
We were confident we could solve the problems.
We limited the use, but ultimately we didn't see why we shouldn't begin to reap the benefits while working to overcome the downside.
We know the risks in confronting the Goa'uld, but tens of thousands of lives will be lost if we do nothing.
Perhaps you could assist us.
You have faced the Goa'uld many times.
You could give us a tactical advantage.
No.
There is no tactical advantage when you're dealing with the Goa'uld.
We've stayed ahead because we don't bite off more than we can chew usually.
Besides, we need to get you off the tretonin, not find another source.
Our scientists have been trying for years to find a way to reverse its effects.
We've made very little progress.
We need more time.
Or more help.
This is important to you.
More so than just curiosity about your history.
As you now know, the tretonin may not be available to us for much longer, and when we run out, those of us taking it are going to die.
Not if we can help you find some kind of antidote.
- Do you think that's possible? - Anything's possible.
- If we could find a new queen - Long-term.
It's not the answer but it could buy us a little time until another option is available.
This has been my life's work.
- My father's life's work.
- Your father? My father was the one who found the jar that contained the queen.
He was attempting to remove a section of the ruins for further study when he literally stumbled into the chamber.
He had no way of knowing his discovery would eventually doom so many people.
The result is not his fault.
No.
Teal'c? Didn't you say this temple was built by Shak'ran? It was.
Then why does this section of the fresco mention Ra? - Who's Ra? - Ra was a powerful System Lord, brother of Apophis.
He, too, is dead.
Well, according to this Ra used to live here.
- We will examine the drug.
- If it acts as I suspect, it may be impossible to perfect as the Pangarans would hope.
The best we might be able to do is provide an antidote to allow their immune systems to regenerate.
They would not possess the superior health that they do now.
How long would it take to go from theoretical to enough for everyone? We can make no promises, Colonel O'Neill.
However, as you say, we are in your debt.
We will begin immediately.
It is possible that Shak'ran captured this world from Ra in battle.
And built this entire temple on top of whatever Ra had here before.
It goes on to say something about this being some kind of prison, or a tomb for one of Ra's enemies.
Wait a minute.
"Here lies Egeria betrayer of the Goa'uld.
" "May she suffer for all eternity.
" Egeria.
Dr Jackson's notes mention her.
Isn't she supposed to have been killed? Indeed she was, but this would seem to indicate otherwise.
That means The queen the Pangarans are breeding is not Goa'uld.
She is the origin of the Tok'ra.
- This could be a problem.
- Are you sure? The writings in the chamber are extremely clear.
From what we can piece together, Ra used this planet as his base of operations in this sector of the galaxy.
A rival Goa'uld, Shak'ran, captured this world in battle, forcing Ra to abandon it.
The question is, do we tell Malek and Kelmaa? How can we not tell them? If we remain silent, the Pangarans will use Egeria as a source for their drug until she is dead.
If we don't find a way to get them off the drug they'll die eventually anyway.
We have to tell them.
Understand we had no idea who she was until now.
It is hard to believe.
Many of our historians speculated that Ra did not kill Egeria as was widely believed, but we we never dared hope that she would ever be found.
She must be freed.
Every moment she is kept in this condition is an affront.
We're going to talk to the Pangarans now.
It would help if you had something to offer.
Like, say, an antidote? Unfortunately, finding an antidote may be more problematic than we'd first hoped.
And why is that? There is something unusual about the genetic structure of the symbiotes.
The tretonin should work far better than it does.
We're not sure why it doesn't.
We cannot seem to identify the defective gene that is causing its effects to break down.
But we can say you'll solve this eventually, right? At this moment, all I can say is it is a mystery.
What, you're suddenly stumped? I understand the implication, Colonel.
This revelation about Egeria is in no way affecting our analysis of the tretonin.
As of right now, we cannot help the Pangarans.
We could not have known.
Surely the Tok'ra don't hold us directly responsible? They're demanding the release of their queen.
How could we? It would doom thousands without a remedy.
The Tok'ra have suffered great losses.
Their numbers are severely diminished.
Restoring Egeria's health may be their only hope of survival as a people.
Have they made no progress at all in reversing the effects of tretonin? - Sorry.
You ask the impossible.
- She is our queen.
- Her freedom is not open for negotiation.
- We deeply regret who she is, but freeing her would mean death for many people.
- Unless you offer an alternative.
- Malek and Kelmaa are having trouble locating a particular element in the symbiote's genetic structure.
Until they do, the chances of synthesising an antidote are slim.
- Then we have no choice.
- You do not understand.
Her existence is a miracle to the Tok'ra.
We are also a dying race.
You may lose thousands.
Our kind will become extinct.
I am sympathetic to the Tok'ra, but what you ask would amount to a holocaust.
She is a sentient being.
Using her in this manner is an insult to our very existence.
Someone has breached security in the manufacturing wing.
What has she done? Uh, is that Was that Kelmaa has given her life for our queen.
Her host belongs to Egeria now.
I bet the Pangarans would give up the queen if the Tok'ra hand over the antidote.
You think they know how to save the Pangarans and are withholding a cure? To get what they wanted? Yeah, sure.
Sir, with all due respect, I disagree.
- Carter, they're pissed off.
- Wouldn't you be? They just discovered the founder of their race has been abused for over 50 years.
Oh, come on, Carter, face it.
For all their high morals and fancy preaching about coexisting with humans, we are just a nice place to live.
I don't think they would lie and doom thousands of innocent people.
That Tok'ra laying on that table in there just did.
Egeria has awakened.
- Egeria, it is an honour.
- Rise, Malek.
You are not my servant.
Kelmaa was generous in giving her life to free me, but I am afraid it is too late.
Save your strength, my queen.
Your people need you, now more than ever.
Kelmaa's assessment of my condition was correct, Malek.
My time is almost done.
I shall not live long enough to see more of my children.
My host has shared her knowledge of the Tok'ra with me.
You are beyond my greatest hopes and dreams.
These are the Tauri, who ally themselves with the Tok'ra.
I know.
Come forward.
My host tells me you seek to help the Pangarans, despite what they have done to me.
This has all been a terrible mistake, but not a malicious act.
Nor was mine, Major Carter.
You know, back on my home planet, my people discovered a substance that had an incredible potential to generate energy.
And after years of research and a serious lack of moral fortitude, they used it to make a bomb.
Well, that being the reason I left.
But the point is that your people had good intentions.
We thought we had found the cure for all disease.
Now it may kill so many of us.
I am not afraid to die, but I am afraid that my people will not have learned from this.
I think they already have.
I passed on the flawed gene that gave the drug its weakness.
You were unable to construct an antidote because of the manner in which I sabotaged my young.
I did it in the hope that they would ultimately prove useless to the Pangarans.
I wanted to force them to abandon their research once the drug proved untenable.
Instead, they continued to make it in ever-increasing quantities.
And now they can't live without it.
It is not what I intended.
Their fate is their own doing, not yours.
You merely tried to free yourself.
They do not deserve this end, not when it can be prevented.
You created the flaw.
You can create the antidote that will save them.
I will tell you what you need to know.
Thank you.
On behalf of our people, please, forgive us for what we have done to you.
Had we known, we The salvation of the Pangarans shall be my final act.
Such is the spirit of Tok'ra that I wish to live on.
Malek says he should have a prototype antidote soon.
We are grateful for his efforts, Major, and yours.
It is our hope we can repair any mistrust that may have developed between us, so that we can pursue a long-lasting friendship between our people far into the future.
Well said.
ENHOH
We are about to meet an alien race in person for the first time.
If you are correct they are advanced and capable of being a threat.
That gives me reason to be on the alert.
Since the discovery of the ruins we have had reason to believe that there are other inhabited planets in the galaxy, and now we have our proof.
I am relieved that the very first contact that we have made is with a race of humans that seem to be very like us.
Maybe you trust them without suspicion.
I cannot.
Nevertheless, Commander, we must proceed.
They are sending their most respected team of representatives.
No doubt the leader of this group will be a brilliant and savvy negotiator.
We must be at our best to match the challenge.
Personally, I cannot wait to meet a man of such genius.
Howdy, folks.
- Nice.
- Thank you, Colonel.
We would be happy to take you on a tour of our city, but first we'd like to spend a little time talking about our mutual interests, so please, please, sit.
To be honest, we are still trying to adjust to the fact that our Stargate, as you call it, is no longer a mere relic of a bygone era.
It was a shock when your communication machine appeared last month.
First contact can be unnerving.
We are all very pleased to finally get the chance to talk face to face.
From our study of the temple we were able to deduce the Stargate was an interplanetary transportation device.
We haven't determined how to make a connection with the many worlds described in the writings in the temple.
It took us a while to get the hang of it, too.
We know the symbols on the Stargate are the key, but as for the number sequence to enter in the dialling device We can definitely help you out there.
Once we get to know you a little better.
Oh, yes, well, of course.
We intend to allow you full access to our citizens, our history, our culture, so that you may come to trust us.
I hope we can reciprocate.
We also want to make it clear that we intend to offer all that we can in trade for any knowledge or technology that you are willing to share.
- Qu'est-ce que c'est? - We call it tretonin, Colonel.
- It is our greatest scientific discovery.
- How so? Major Carter, from what you have told me about your world, your people suffer from a myriad of illnesses.
Many of them are untreatable.
Tretonin makes our immune systems impervious to any ailment.
We live in perfect health.
What is it you hope to achieve here? If we're gonna learn about these people, start at the beginning.
Earthans.
Uh, Earthlings sort of.
I am Zenna Valk, supervisor of the temple research project.
It is a pleasure to meet the explorers from Earth.
We're not originally from there.
However, we have dedicated ourselves to the cause of the Tauri.
Earth.
Am I at least correct in assuming you are Jaffa? - Indeed.
- I cannot tell you how exciting this is.
We have learned much from this site, but it must pale in comparison to what you can teach us.
I don't know, but we'd love it if you showed us around.
By all means.
That was my intention.
We first discovered these ruins over 100 years ago, and since then we've dedicated ourselves to studying the secrets the Goa'uld left behind.
This area was obviously some sort of reception colonnade for greeting travellers who came through the Stargate.
The real discovery was made just over here.
Although we fully admit tretonin is not without side effects, we assure you, the good it can do far outweighs any negative aspects.
What kind of side effects? Depends on the individual.
Most people experience almost no reaction.
Those who do merely require more regulated doses.
- We'll need a decent amount for testing.
- On Earth, of course.
Yes, certainly.
Of course, we need something in return from you, as a measure of good faith.
We can give you these ten addresses and a lesson in gate technology.
These are peaceful worlds, safe from hostile forces, rich with historical relics and natural resources.
Well, this is a very generous offer, Major, very generous.
However, based on our studies of the writings in the temple, we have compiled a list of the names of the worlds that we would like to visit.
Do you recognise any? I'll have to cross-reference the Goa'uld names with our database, but offhand, I recognise these three, sir.
They're classified off limits, Goa'uld home worlds.
Yeah, uh fellas, you really don't wanna go here.
It's not exactly a walk in the park.
We know the Goa'uld are a hostile race that once ruled this planet centuries ago.
You're new, so I'll cut you a break Those are the worlds we wish to explore.
We believe that they are significant to our history.
Guys, we're not lying to you about this.
You don't wanna go there first time out.
If you have been to these worlds and survived, can we not? All I'm trying to say to you is it would be stupid.
We are aware of the risks and believe the rewards are worth the consequences, as you and your people obviously do, Colonel.
Please, Colonel, in exchange for the tretonin, we are simply asking that you respect our wishes.
There is an underground tunnel system that leads to the main temple.
It is most likely a means of escape to the Stargate in case of attack.
That's exactly what I thought.
Please.
The writing in this chamber seems to tell the story of the Goa'uld who ruled here.
We've been attempting to decipher this section of the wall for months, thus far with limited success.
It is written in a rare dialect of ancient Goa'uld.
An account of the warlord Shak'ran.
He was a System Lord who was defeated by Apophis about 300 years ago.
Indeed.
Until his defeat, it appears Pangar served as Shak'ran's home world.
And what of the Goa'uld Apophis, the one who conquered Shak'ran? He was killed in battle not long ago.
As I suspected, you have much wisdom to share.
Teal'c and I will help with the translations.
I've got a dozen ancient ciphers I can try.
Please, I do not wish to be overheard by the Pangar security contingent.
There is something you need to know about the tretonin.
Please, come with me and I will finish showing you the rest of the ruins.
I will try to talk to you later.
She said there was something we needed to know about tretonin.
She seemed to be worried about these guys, like she was going out on a limb talking about something other than hieroglyphs.
Keep digging.
See what you can find.
Carter and I will take this sample back to the SGC.
- Jonas.
- Dr Valk.
- Please, call me Zenna.
- How's it coming? It's slow and painstaking.
Any help you're willing to give me Certainly.
I brought those ciphers I was telling you about.
Looks like we're alone.
What do you suppose this means? You said that there was something we needed to know about the tretonin.
I'm sorry.
You must have misunderstood.
No, I think you were pretty clear.
No one's coming.
Teal'c is up there standing guard.
You can talk to me.
- I don't have anything to say.
- Hey, Zenna.
- If you know something - No, I don't.
- That was strange.
- What did Zenna Valk have to say? Nothing.
Someone must have gotten to her.
Right away.
I think I got something.
She's on tretonin.
- It looks like she has regular injections.
- Continue.
I was thinking we go and check out the place they get their shots.
I found a map of the city.
I'm pretty sure I can get us there.
Let's do it.
Looks like this is where they actually make the drug, as well as administer it.
This way.
What is it? I am not sure.
Well, something tells me this isn't the rec room.
No, it is not.
- There's something living in there.
- Goa'uld symbiotes.
- Are you sure? - Yes.
And there are a great many.
What are they doing? Who's there? Identify yourselves.
Stop Teal'c - He's got one in him.
- Stand aside.
Lower your weapon - This man is a Goa'uld.
- Teal'c, something's not right.
- This guy's completely out of it.
- Lower your weapon now Care to say why you were at the tretonin facility? You wanna tell us why you have a pool full of Goa'uld symbiotes? - You've betrayed our openness with you.
- Openness? You're raising Goa'ulds.
When were you gonna tell us? The symbiotes are a critical component to making tretonin.
Excuse me? It is a complicated process, one which is better explained by our scientists.
Frankly, we intended to tell you how the tretonin was made, eventually.
We just wanted to first assess how you might react.
- Not well.
- I don't know why you're taking offence.
You've told us.
The Goa'uld are enemies who have enslaved countless humans.
Where is the harm in using them to enhance our quality of life? Do you really understand the risks? We have used the same method to produce tretonin for nearly 30 years.
- We take every precaution possible.
- How were these symbiotes procured? For people who haven't mastered gate travel, you've sure got a lot of them.
We require answers before sharing any further information.
We have already told you everything that is necessary.
Tegar, the colonel is right.
There is no reason to keep more secrets.
The drug was developed and is now manufactured and administered here.
And since its use has spread to more of the general population, we've implemented treatment centres throughout Pangar.
Through here is the reason we were able to create tretonin in the first place.
The symbiotes were not procured through gate travel.
Our symbiotes are all bred here, in captivity.
A queen.
No kidding.
Is there nothing you can do to help him? - What's his condition? - His lower-brain functions seem intact, his breathing and heart rate are normal, but he is unresponsive to any stimulus.
It doesn't make sense.
Teal'c? Prior to the process of incubating Goa'uld symbiotes using Jaffa, the blending between Goa'uld and host had only a one-in-two chance of success.
Jaffa were created to improve the ability of the symbiote to take human hosts.
The fact that this symbiote was raised in a tank could explain the comalike state? To the best of my knowledge, a failed blending results in death to both Goa'uld and host.
This man is very much alive.
Our understanding is that this is a typical reaction to contact with Goa'uld offspring.
A Goa'uld offspring is born with the intellect and knowledge of its queen.
Normally the personality emerges, allowing the symbiote to control the host immediately upon blending.
Glowing eyes, cliché behaviour, evilness.
- That kind of thing.
- This one's more of a blank slate.
Is it possible that the production process hinders the development of the symbiote? I do not know.
I recommend we contact the Tok'ra.
They may understand this condition.
They might be able to take the symbiote out.
Uh, I'm sorry, who are the Tok'ra? An offshoot of the Goa'uld who oppose them philosophically in every way.
You propose to bring these Goa'uld here? They're different.
They coexist with their hosts in a truer symbiotic relationship.
They are, in fact, allies.
- And they can help? - We'll see.
- Hi.
- Hello.
I have an admission.
You know Teal'c and I tracked down the tretonin facility.
Yes, I heard.
Yeah.
Well, I did it by going through your stuff when you weren't here.
- I was wrong.
- I know.
- You know it was wrong or - I know what you did.
I saw you.
Really? Cos I thought that we were - Not so good.
- No? - But you didn't try and stop us.
- No.
I wanted you to know.
In some ways, I'm glad you did what you did.
In others, I'm disappointed you were so willing to betray me.
Well, no, I never would have done this had you not come to me first.
I should have told you outright.
I was afraid.
Tretonin is not available to everyone in Pangar yet.
Taking it is a privilege, one that can be revoked.
- I hope I didn't get you in trouble.
- No.
But our relationship, our peoples' relationship, if we ever are to trust each other we're not off to a very good start.
I know.
You could make it up to me.
- How? - Help me finish the translations.
It is as though the symbiote in this man has taken a host before it was mature enough to do so.
And yet our scans indicate it to be a full-grown adult.
Most puzzling.
Can you account for its lack of identity? Memory is passed on genetically by the queen, so they are born with the collective knowledge of their lineage.
It is possible the queen that spawned him was unable to pass on this information.
Unable? The knowledge imparted on her young by a queen is done so voluntarily.
If nothing were passed on to a symbiote it would be, as you say, an empty vessel.
Can you remove it without harming the host? Possibly, although such a procedure would be dangerous.
We would like to see the queen that spawned this Goa'uld.
Not a pretty sight, even for a Goa'uld, huh? - She is extremely old.
- She has been kept this way for decades? The Pangarans began using her for medical experiments over 50 years ago.
She's been breeding symbiotes to make tretonin for more than half that time.
All right.
Now, how is that possible? I mean, how does she make kids without a man friend? Symbiote queens can fertilise their own eggs.
It is essentially an asexual process.
Is that why you guys take hosts? It is impressive that a primitive human culture could develop such a drug.
Does it bother you that they use Goa'ulds like this? No.
OK.
The Goa'uld have done no worse than this to humans for centuries.
That Pangarans use them for a beneficial result is surprising, but not morally objectionable to me, if that's what you mean.
I believe her condition is the reason her offspring are not mentally developed.
Most unfortunate.
What is it? My scans indicate massive cellular degeneration.
Quite simply, she is dying.
I am sorry.
The Pangarans sugar-coated the whole side-effect aspect of the drug.
Well, that's a shock.
While tretonin does cure most diseases, it creates bigger problems than it solves.
How? The drug acts like a symbiote in many ways.
Upon entering the bloodstream it takes over, suppressing the immune system.
The result is a powerful resistance to disease.
- But - The healing effect is not permanent, and the user's immune system remains suppressed.
You have to keep taking the drug for it to work.
We'd never create enough to sustain our population.
I don't know how the Pangarans can make enough for theirs.
They don't.
Only about They're running into a wall as far as production is concerned.
They've sucked the queen dry, Doc.
According to the Tok'ra, she's dying.
As far as I know there's no way to reverse the drug's effects.
If their queen is dying, it's a matter of time before anyone living off tretonin will be facing death as well.
OK? O'Neill out.
So you wanted the gate addresses to the Goa'uld worlds because you wanted to snag another queen? Colonel, we have no choice but to replace the one we have.
Exactly how did you get to this point? a secret chamber beneath the temple.
We found a sealed Canopic jar containing a living female symbiote, perfectly preserved in stasis.
From our study of the temple, we knew the Goa'uld never suffered from illness.
We saw this discovery as an opportunity to learn why.
Once the queen gave birth, we began experimenting on her offspring, searching for a way to mimic their seemingly perfect immune system.
After decades of trying, we finally came up with tretonin.
- It seemed like a miracle at first.
- Didn't you foresee the negative effects? Of course.
But what we couldn't predict was our inability to refine the drug.
We were confident we could solve the problems.
We limited the use, but ultimately we didn't see why we shouldn't begin to reap the benefits while working to overcome the downside.
We know the risks in confronting the Goa'uld, but tens of thousands of lives will be lost if we do nothing.
Perhaps you could assist us.
You have faced the Goa'uld many times.
You could give us a tactical advantage.
No.
There is no tactical advantage when you're dealing with the Goa'uld.
We've stayed ahead because we don't bite off more than we can chew usually.
Besides, we need to get you off the tretonin, not find another source.
Our scientists have been trying for years to find a way to reverse its effects.
We've made very little progress.
We need more time.
Or more help.
This is important to you.
More so than just curiosity about your history.
As you now know, the tretonin may not be available to us for much longer, and when we run out, those of us taking it are going to die.
Not if we can help you find some kind of antidote.
- Do you think that's possible? - Anything's possible.
- If we could find a new queen - Long-term.
It's not the answer but it could buy us a little time until another option is available.
This has been my life's work.
- My father's life's work.
- Your father? My father was the one who found the jar that contained the queen.
He was attempting to remove a section of the ruins for further study when he literally stumbled into the chamber.
He had no way of knowing his discovery would eventually doom so many people.
The result is not his fault.
No.
Teal'c? Didn't you say this temple was built by Shak'ran? It was.
Then why does this section of the fresco mention Ra? - Who's Ra? - Ra was a powerful System Lord, brother of Apophis.
He, too, is dead.
Well, according to this Ra used to live here.
- We will examine the drug.
- If it acts as I suspect, it may be impossible to perfect as the Pangarans would hope.
The best we might be able to do is provide an antidote to allow their immune systems to regenerate.
They would not possess the superior health that they do now.
How long would it take to go from theoretical to enough for everyone? We can make no promises, Colonel O'Neill.
However, as you say, we are in your debt.
We will begin immediately.
It is possible that Shak'ran captured this world from Ra in battle.
And built this entire temple on top of whatever Ra had here before.
It goes on to say something about this being some kind of prison, or a tomb for one of Ra's enemies.
Wait a minute.
"Here lies Egeria betrayer of the Goa'uld.
" "May she suffer for all eternity.
" Egeria.
Dr Jackson's notes mention her.
Isn't she supposed to have been killed? Indeed she was, but this would seem to indicate otherwise.
That means The queen the Pangarans are breeding is not Goa'uld.
She is the origin of the Tok'ra.
- This could be a problem.
- Are you sure? The writings in the chamber are extremely clear.
From what we can piece together, Ra used this planet as his base of operations in this sector of the galaxy.
A rival Goa'uld, Shak'ran, captured this world in battle, forcing Ra to abandon it.
The question is, do we tell Malek and Kelmaa? How can we not tell them? If we remain silent, the Pangarans will use Egeria as a source for their drug until she is dead.
If we don't find a way to get them off the drug they'll die eventually anyway.
We have to tell them.
Understand we had no idea who she was until now.
It is hard to believe.
Many of our historians speculated that Ra did not kill Egeria as was widely believed, but we we never dared hope that she would ever be found.
She must be freed.
Every moment she is kept in this condition is an affront.
We're going to talk to the Pangarans now.
It would help if you had something to offer.
Like, say, an antidote? Unfortunately, finding an antidote may be more problematic than we'd first hoped.
And why is that? There is something unusual about the genetic structure of the symbiotes.
The tretonin should work far better than it does.
We're not sure why it doesn't.
We cannot seem to identify the defective gene that is causing its effects to break down.
But we can say you'll solve this eventually, right? At this moment, all I can say is it is a mystery.
What, you're suddenly stumped? I understand the implication, Colonel.
This revelation about Egeria is in no way affecting our analysis of the tretonin.
As of right now, we cannot help the Pangarans.
We could not have known.
Surely the Tok'ra don't hold us directly responsible? They're demanding the release of their queen.
How could we? It would doom thousands without a remedy.
The Tok'ra have suffered great losses.
Their numbers are severely diminished.
Restoring Egeria's health may be their only hope of survival as a people.
Have they made no progress at all in reversing the effects of tretonin? - Sorry.
You ask the impossible.
- She is our queen.
- Her freedom is not open for negotiation.
- We deeply regret who she is, but freeing her would mean death for many people.
- Unless you offer an alternative.
- Malek and Kelmaa are having trouble locating a particular element in the symbiote's genetic structure.
Until they do, the chances of synthesising an antidote are slim.
- Then we have no choice.
- You do not understand.
Her existence is a miracle to the Tok'ra.
We are also a dying race.
You may lose thousands.
Our kind will become extinct.
I am sympathetic to the Tok'ra, but what you ask would amount to a holocaust.
She is a sentient being.
Using her in this manner is an insult to our very existence.
Someone has breached security in the manufacturing wing.
What has she done? Uh, is that Was that Kelmaa has given her life for our queen.
Her host belongs to Egeria now.
I bet the Pangarans would give up the queen if the Tok'ra hand over the antidote.
You think they know how to save the Pangarans and are withholding a cure? To get what they wanted? Yeah, sure.
Sir, with all due respect, I disagree.
- Carter, they're pissed off.
- Wouldn't you be? They just discovered the founder of their race has been abused for over 50 years.
Oh, come on, Carter, face it.
For all their high morals and fancy preaching about coexisting with humans, we are just a nice place to live.
I don't think they would lie and doom thousands of innocent people.
That Tok'ra laying on that table in there just did.
Egeria has awakened.
- Egeria, it is an honour.
- Rise, Malek.
You are not my servant.
Kelmaa was generous in giving her life to free me, but I am afraid it is too late.
Save your strength, my queen.
Your people need you, now more than ever.
Kelmaa's assessment of my condition was correct, Malek.
My time is almost done.
I shall not live long enough to see more of my children.
My host has shared her knowledge of the Tok'ra with me.
You are beyond my greatest hopes and dreams.
These are the Tauri, who ally themselves with the Tok'ra.
I know.
Come forward.
My host tells me you seek to help the Pangarans, despite what they have done to me.
This has all been a terrible mistake, but not a malicious act.
Nor was mine, Major Carter.
You know, back on my home planet, my people discovered a substance that had an incredible potential to generate energy.
And after years of research and a serious lack of moral fortitude, they used it to make a bomb.
Well, that being the reason I left.
But the point is that your people had good intentions.
We thought we had found the cure for all disease.
Now it may kill so many of us.
I am not afraid to die, but I am afraid that my people will not have learned from this.
I think they already have.
I passed on the flawed gene that gave the drug its weakness.
You were unable to construct an antidote because of the manner in which I sabotaged my young.
I did it in the hope that they would ultimately prove useless to the Pangarans.
I wanted to force them to abandon their research once the drug proved untenable.
Instead, they continued to make it in ever-increasing quantities.
And now they can't live without it.
It is not what I intended.
Their fate is their own doing, not yours.
You merely tried to free yourself.
They do not deserve this end, not when it can be prevented.
You created the flaw.
You can create the antidote that will save them.
I will tell you what you need to know.
Thank you.
On behalf of our people, please, forgive us for what we have done to you.
Had we known, we The salvation of the Pangarans shall be my final act.
Such is the spirit of Tok'ra that I wish to live on.
Malek says he should have a prototype antidote soon.
We are grateful for his efforts, Major, and yours.
It is our hope we can repair any mistrust that may have developed between us, so that we can pursue a long-lasting friendship between our people far into the future.
Well said.
ENHOH